Lesson Name & Number
Lesson 3: Introductions
Key Concepts:
An explanatory text is nonfiction writing that provides information, insight, and understanding about a topic.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a sentence that clearly expresses the main idea or argument of an essay.
After reading the thesis statement, the reader should know the writer’s purpose for the text.
A thesis statement always appears in the essay’s introduction.
What are the three elements writers should include in their introductions?
- A hook to grab the reader's attention
- Background information or context for the topic
- A thesis statement that presents the main idea of the essay
What is an anecdote?
An anecdote is a short, personal story used to illustrate a point or engage the reader.
What are three techniques writers use to engage readers in an introduction?
- Using a compelling anecdote
- Asking a thought-provoking question
- Presenting a surprising fact or statistic
Practice:
Overall Topic: Adopting a pet from a shelter
Main Idea: It is beneficial to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue.
Point #1: Adopting shelter pets can help save the animal’s life.
Point #2: It can help control pet overpopulation.
Point #3: Shelter pets usually cost less than buying one from a pet store or a breeder.
Combine the main idea and points 1, 2, & 3 to create a thesis statement:
"Adopting a pet from a shelter is beneficial because it saves the animal’s life, helps control pet overpopulation, and is usually more cost-effective than purchasing from a pet store or breeder."
Lesson 4: Organizing Explanatory Texts
Key Concepts:
When a writer begins an explanatory text, they choose an overall text structure to organize their ideas.
What is parallel structure?
Parallel structure is the use of similar grammatical forms or patterns to express related ideas in a balanced manner.
What is a rhetorical device?
A rhetorical device is a technique used to persuade or create an impact in writing, such as simile, metaphor, or repetition.
| Text Structure | Definition | |---------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Sequential | Information is presented in the order it occurs. | | Cause and effect | Explains the reason something happened and its results. | | Compare and contrast | Discusses similarities and differences between two or more subjects. | | Problem and solution | Identifies a problem and offers solutions. |
Practice:
Lisa’s thesis: Adopting a pet from a shelter is beneficial because of saving the animal’s life, to help control pet overpopulation, and it saves money.
Thesis Using Parallel Structure: "Adopting a pet from a shelter is beneficial because it saves the animal’s life, helps control pet overpopulation, and saves money."
Lesson 5: Developing the Topic
Key Concepts:
Writers research their topic to choose evidence that will help them develop their topic.
What three things should writers ask themselves when selecting information to use in their essays?
- Is this information relevant to my topic?
- Is the source credible and reliable?
- Does this information support my thesis statement?
What does it mean to paraphrase?
To paraphrase means to restate information or ideas from a source in your own words while maintaining the original meaning.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or expressions without proper attribution, presenting them as one's own.
When writers use the MLA style, they create citations in two places: in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
In-text citations should Include the author’s last name followed by the page number where the information was found.
Practice:
Using the paragraph below from an explanatory essay, identify the thesis statement, examples, and technical vocabulary the author uses.
Paragraph: Chefs often use a method called mise-en-place, which is a French term that means “everything in its place.” This helps chefs organize their ingredients because it focuses them on preparing what they need for a recipe. For example, a recipe for potato leek soup requires butter, onions, and potatoes. The chef can complete their mise-en-place by getting out all the ingredients, cutting the onions as directed, and cutting the potatoes as directed. When all this preparation is done, then the chef can focus on seasoning the food as they cook.
Thesis Statement: Chefs use a technique called mise-en-place to organize their ingredients effectively.
Examples: A recipe for potato leek soup requires butter, onions, and potatoes.
Technical Vocabulary: Mise-en-place, ingredients, seasoning, preparation.
Lesson 6: Voice
Key Concepts:
What is active voice?
Active voice is a sentence structure in which the subject performs the action of the verb.
What is passive voice?
Passive voice is a sentence structure in which the subject receives the action of the verb, often leading to a less direct expression.
Active voice is recommended most of the time because it's more direct and engaging.
In which situations is it useful to use passive voice?
Passive voice is useful when the doer of the action is unknown, when the focus is on the action itself rather than the doer, or in scientific writing where the process is more important than the subject.
Which form of a verb is used to indicate past or completed action?
The past tense form of the verb is used to indicate past or completed action.
In the sentence "Martha slammed the ball into the net," the verb slammed is active because it is followed by the ball, which is the direct object and directly receives the action from the verb.
When you find a direct object in a sentence, the sentence is written using active voice.
Practice:
Rewrite the following sentences and change passive voice to active voice.
The colorful sweater was worn by our dog.
Active Voice: Our dog wore the colorful sweater.
The Grand Canyon is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Active Voice: Thousands of tourists visit the Grand Canyon every year.
Changes in the DNA were observed by the scientists.
Active Voice: The scientists observed changes in the DNA.
Lesson 7: Verbs
Key Concepts:
A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects joined by a conjunction such as “and” that connects the subjects.
Action verbs are used to express meaning and tone.
| Verb Mood | What it Expresses | Example | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------| | Indicative | States facts or asks questions | The cat sits on the mat. | | Imperative | Gives commands or requests | Please close the door. | | Subjunctive | Expresses wishes or hypothetical situations | If I were a millionaire... | | Conditional | Depends on a condition; often uses "if" | If it rains, we will stay inside. |
Why might a writer of an explanatory text use the indicative mood more than any other verb mood?
The indicative mood is used to state facts and information, which is essential in explanatory texts that aim to inform readers.
Practice:
Identify the verb mood in each of the following sentences:
If the weather improves, we will go to the beach tomorrow.
Verb Mood- Conditional
Please close the door quietly.
Verb Mood- Imperative
I have a dentist appointment on Monday.
Verb Mood- Indicative
If I were a bird, I would fly across the ocean.
Verb Mood- Subjunctive
Lesson 8: Phrases
Key Concepts:
A phrase is a group of two or more words that make up a grammatical unit.
What are modifiers?
Modifiers are words or phrases that provide additional information about other words, such as nouns or verbs.
| Term | Definition | Example | |----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Noun | A person, place, thing, or idea | Dog, city, happiness | | Noun Phrase | A group of words where the noun is the main word | The big red balloon | | Verb | A word that describes an action or state | Run, is, feel | | Verb Phrase | A group of words that includes the verb and its modifiers | Will be running | | Adjective | A word that describes a noun or pronoun | Happy, blue | | Adjectival Phrase | A group of words that act like an adjective | Full of joy | | Adverb | A word that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb | Quickly, very | | Adverbial Phrase | A group of words that act like an adverb | With great enthusiasm | | Preposition | A word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun | In, on, at | | Prepositional Phrase | A group of words that starts with a preposition | Under the table | | Participle | A form of a verb used as an adjective | Running, broken | | Participial Phrase | A group of words that includes a participle | Covered in chocolate | | Absolute Phrase | A phrase that adds information but can stand alone | The weather permitting |
Practice:
Highlight or underline a noun phrase in the following sentence:
Once upon a time, a brave young knight ventured into a mysterious forest.
Highlight or underline the verb phrase in the following sentence:
was gleaming in the pale moonlight.
Highlight or underline an adjectival phrase in the following sentence:
His loyal, trusty horse guided him farther and farther into the dark, foreboding forest.
Highlight or underline an adverbial phrase in the following sentence:
Without hesitation, the knight charged forward boldly and courageously into a dark cave.
Highlight or underline a prepositional phrase in the following sentence:
Deep within the cave, he discovered a hidden treasure inside a dusty chest.
Highlight or underline the participial phrase in the following sentence:
Opening the ancient chest, he felt a surge of triumph.
Highlight or underline the absolute phrase in the following sentence:
The treasure found, the knight returned to his kingdom to share his riches.
Lesson 9: Connections and Transitions
Key Concepts:
A transition is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between two ideas.
What does a connection show?
A connection shows how two ideas or concepts are related or similar.
What does a distinction show?
A distinction shows the differences between two ideas or concepts.
The effective linking of ideas and of sections within a text is called cohesion.
What are some transition words that show connection?
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- Similarly
What are some transition words that show distinctions?
- However
- On the other hand
- Conversely
Practice:
Highlight or underline the transition words Lisa used in her introduction paragraph of her essay about the benefits of adopting a shelter pet:
"Adopting a shelter pet is a rewarding decision that positively impacts both the animal and the adopter. Firstly, choosing to adopt from a shelter helps reduce the number of homeless animals, addressing the overpopulation crisis in many communities. Additionally, shelter pets often come vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which can save new pet owners significant costs and ensure the animals are healthy. Moreover, adopting a pet from a shelter provides a loving home to an animal in need, creating a deep sense of companionship and gratitude. The benefits of adopting a shelter pet extend beyond the individual, creating a ripple effect of compassion and responsible pet ownership within the community."
Based on the information in the paragraph above, write THREE topic sentences that Lisa could use in the body paragraphs of her essay. Use transition words to shift from one topic to the next.
Topic Sentence #1- "Firstly, adopting a shelter pet helps to mitigate the issue of animal homelessness and overpopulation."
Topic Sentence #2- "Furthermore, adopting a shelter pet can also be financially advantageous for new pet owners."
Topic Sentence #3- "Lastly, the emotional benefits of adopting shelter pets create lasting bonds between animals and adopters."
Lesson 10: Format and Style
Key Concepts:
Precise language is specific and clear.
What is domain-specific vocabulary?
Domain-specific vocabulary refers to terms and phrases that are specialized or unique to a particular subject or field.
Why would a writer need to include definitions and explanations of domain-specific terms?
To ensure that readers understand the specialized vocabulary and concepts being discussed, particularly if the audience may not be familiar with the subject matter.
When writing using formal style, what should writers avoid?
Writers should avoid slang, colloquial expressions, contractions, and overly casual or subjective language.
Writing in an objective tone means that writers of explanatory texts do not share their own personal opinions, experiences, or thoughts in their writing.
Why should writers of explanatory texts maintain a formal style and objective tone?
To convey information clearly and fairly, making it more credible and accessible to a wider audience.
Practice:
Rewrite the following sentence to change vague words to precise words:
"Learning to play a new video game can be kind of hard, but with some effort, you can become a great player."
New sentence: "Mastering the mechanics of a new video game can be challenging; however, with consistent practice, one can improve significantly."
Rewrite the following sentence to add domain-specific vocabulary:
"Current video games have better pictures and different types of characters to play and interact with than video games made 10 years ago."
New sentence: "Modern video games feature enhanced graphics and diverse character designs for immersive gameplay compared to video games developed a decade ago."
Rewrite the following sentence to reflect formal style:
"Learning to play a new video game is all about getting the hang of the controls and figuring out the best way to level up."
New sentence: "Acquiring proficiency in a new video game involves mastering the controls and developing strategies for leveling up."
Rewrite the following sentence to use an objective tone:
"Diving into a new video game is always an epic adventure, and players will love how every challenge keeps you on the edge of your seat."
New sentence: "Engaging with a new video game often presents numerous challenges that can maintain the player's interest and provide a stimulating experience."
Lesson 11: Informational Text Conclusions
Key Concepts:
What is a concluding section (or concluding paragraph) and what is its purpose?
A concluding section summarizes the main points of the text, reinforces the thesis, and provides final thoughts on the topic, giving the reader closure.
Conclusions that can be drawn or inferred based on the available information are called inferences.
Why does an explanatory text need a strong concluding section?
A strong concluding section helps to consolidate the information presented, leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and emphasizes the significance of the topic discussed.
What is the typical structure of an informational or explanatory text (essay)?
It typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs that develop the main idea with supporting details, and a conclusion.
A strong final statement in a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of closure is called a clincher statement.
| Type of Closing Statement | Explanation | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Bookend the introduction | Referencing a point made in the introduction for coherence. | | Make a strong statement | Summarizing the main idea in a powerful way. | | Contextualize the topic | Placing the topic in a broader context. | | Call to action | Encouraging the reader to take a specific action. | | Draw from an expert | Quoting an authority or expert on the topic for support. |
Practice:
Lisa has written a concluding paragraph for her essay on the benefits of adopting a shelter pet. Help Lisa finish her essay by using one of the methods from the chart above to write an effective closing statement for her concluding paragraph.
Lisa’s Concluding Paragraph:
In conclusion, adopting a shelter pet offers numerous benefits. Not only does it help combat the issue of animal homelessness, but it also provides adopters with a loyal and loving companion. Furthermore, the health and financial advantages of adopting a vaccinated and spayed or neutered pet cannot be overlooked.
Closing Statement: "Ultimately, by choosing to adopt a shelter pet, individuals can make a meaningful contribution to animal welfare while also enriching their own lives with companionship and joy."
Method Used: Make a strong statement.
1 answer